WHO ACTUALLY MAKES BURGESS INSTRUMENTS?

Burgess does. Period.

Unlike some shops, these are not instruments made mostly or partly by others, with some contributions or final touches added by Burgess. Further, no pre-joined plates, or pre-carved tops, backs, or scrolls from outside sources are utilized. In fact, no one else works on the instruments at all, from raw wood through final setup. There aren't even any employees, apprentices, or other workers on the premises.